Euro Cycle Sales Falling in 2008

SALES OF POWERED two-wheelers in Europe declined 7 percent during the first half of 2008, led by a two-digit decline in Spain and a setback in Italy.

Confindustria ANCMA – the motorcycle industry association in Italy – says it expects the European market to lose about 160,000 powered two-wheelers in 2008 compared to sales in 2007.

France, the UK, Spain, Italy and Germany account for 76 percent of all sales in Europe. During the first nine months of the year, 470,460 motorized two-wheelers were sold in Italy, down 5.5 percent from sales during the same nine-month period in 2007; 114,086 units were sold in the UK, a dip of 2 percent; and 165,656 motorized two-wheelers were sold in Germany, up a scant 1.2 percent compared to the same nine-month period in 2007.

In 2007, sales in the 18 major European countries climbed 9.6 percent compared to 2006. The most significant growth occurred in France (+20.6 percent). Lower rates of growth occurred in the UK, Spain and Italy. Only sales in Germany declined (-5.3 percent).

Market specific differences continue to exist in terms of vehicle type in those countries, with a prevalence of scooters in Italy (70 percent of volume), significant number of 50cc units in France and Spain, and a prevailing presence of medium- and high-displacement motorcycle sin the UK and Germany.

In Italy, ANCMA projects 535,000 powered two-wheelers to be this year: 265,000 scooters, 140,000 motorcycles, and 130,000 units sized 50cc and under. The organization says about 700,000 powered two-wheelers will be produced in Italy this year, of which about 537,000 will be exported.